Financial crisis
Hello everyone!
Hi Rachel!
I want to thank you for comment the last post. In fact, as James Wu said, everyone is being affected by financial crisis because we live in a society where nations, companies and people are more and more interconnected as the time pass by. And, in some way, we all are affected by what happens with a nation. So imagine the current crisis that has affected the most powerful and richest countries.
At the personal level, Teacher Rachel mentioned that she now pays less for the money that she took borrowed from the bank to pay her house. Or, in other words, the interest rates are falling in her country. For the other side, she told that she has to dispend more to buy food, clothes, etc (these things are becoming more and more expensive, in a process of inflation).
Mohammed Jihad Hesham wrote about his country, Egypt. There are people losing their jobs and some pharmaceutical companies went to bankruptcy. Henry Jeong, from South Korea, is afraid that the world enters in a 'vicious cycle' with companies cancelling investments and dismissing more and more employees. In other words, he is afraid that starts a process of depression of the world economy (I'm afraid too, Henry).
Here in Brazil we are suffering the effects of the crisis, too. Since last October employees have been fired, companies have postponed investments and, like other countries the interest rates are going down. But let's see the difference: here in Brazil the current basic interest rate is 11.25% per year. In England, the interest rate is 0.5% per year (Brazil is recognized as the country with higher interest rates in the world). The Brazilian government is conducting efforts to reduce the impact of the crisis in the Brazilian economy as many countries in the world.
But the efforts must be coordinated. So, last week The Group of Twenty (G20) met in London to discuss ways to recover the world economy. Again, the nations are more and more interconnected so governments have to work together to won the current crisis. I personally hope that the world economy back to grow soon.
Changing the subject, Rachel asked me about the use of articles. For me, choose the right article when writing or speaking English is a hard task. Sometimes I just prefer to omit its use. But I do not have any authority to talk about a reform of the English Language. I can talk about the recent orthographic reform of the Portuguese Language. I heard an interesting comment about this: in an orthographic reform, the people who propose the points to be changed considers the most common mistakes that they incurred when they were learning the language.
As an English learner, there are two others subjects that I think I must to improve: (1) direct and indirect speech and (2) the use of phrasal verbs. Could you help me, Rachel?
To the readers of the blog, I have another question: do you read books in English? What do you recommend?
Again, thank you everyone for the comments.
See you soon!
Comments
Hey up Marcos! It´s lunch time for me and I´m enjoying the opportunity to write this message. Well, I do read books English and I think it´s a good way to get in touch with new vocabulary. I´d recommend you the Nick Hornby and Mark Raddon novels. They are very entertaining and aren´t difficult to be read which makes so hard to put them down :-). Take a look at Livraria Cultura site. They have a wonderful range of English books available for a very fair price. Maybe you already know this bookstore. See ya soon, Ana Paula.
Hey up Marcos! It´s lunch time for me and I´m enjoying the opportunity to write this message. Well, I do read books English and I think it´s a good way to get in touch with new vocabulary. I´d recommend you the Nick Hornby and Mark Raddon novels. They are very entertaining and aren´t difficult to be read which makes so hard to put them down :-). Take a look at Livraria Cultura site. They have a wonderful range of English books available for a very fair price. Maybe you already know this bookstore. See ya soon, Ana Paula.
Hello Marcos, speaking of reading books, I usually go for online books. To me the advantage of this is that you come across many new writers and I also search for my friends' recommendations and the writers they like. For learners of English, it is best to read the books which have been rewritten (I don't have specific word to this)into easy English. Hope to read more topics related with Economics and more. Tchau, Naheed
Hi Marcos, I try to read books in English, but as my English is not good as yours I usually read "readers" - series specially written for lerners of English. They are published at several levels from Easystart to Advanced. I like them very much, I don't have to look each time into dictionary. And because my biggest problem is understanding spoken English I try to buy them with cd. I'm reading now " Rapa Nui " by Pete Wright - Richmond Readers and I have to admit that I find it quite difficult. Macmillan Readers, Cambridge and Penguine Readres are easier for me. Not so long ago I tried to read "real" english book "The white Masai" and I understood quite good but I read that book before in my language and in addition that book is written in the quite simple and straight tongue :) take care see you soon
Hi, Marcos Thank for sharing your idea about the crisis . Oh, how about the English books ? Basically, these guys like me don't have enough patient to keep reading completely one book or one long story or any kind of them. My favorite is the short stories. First, I can read them easily. Second, it's the suitable choice with my English level .How can I focus on the story when I must look up the new words every five minutes ? I'm trying to find the book with common words and explicit meaning. Can u recommend me some books like that ?
Hello Marcos, Presently I do not get time to read books. I read "The times of India " newspaper daily which is very intresting to read. Particularly editorial and spiritual article (Speaking tree)I never miss. I used to read books but since I have internet connection I am not able to give time for books reading.On internet I see video of speeches of President of US which I think best for english learners. I read somewhere on internet,that in Japan CD of speeches deliverd by President of US are used by english lerners on large scale. If you want my advice on books reading, I will say that the books on subject you like should be read. Be happy, By Deepak.
The annual percentage rate in Taiwan is under 1%. Every thing has two sides,good for someone is always bad for others. I would like a higher interest rate if I have lots of money, however, if I need a loan from a bank, I of course prefer a lower interest. At any rate, Brazil is a paradise of the riches, oops, 11.25% per year. Best wishes and may you rich,James.
Hi Marcos. The current economic situation is really frightening, no doubt about it. Is good to read you are optimistic and see a light, even if it's far, in the end of the tunnel. As other bloggers I seldom read books in english, but I do read lots of in english sites in the web. Bye
Dear Marcos, bad news: we all are expecting the second wave of crisis in autumn. Although our things are going better – we have 1,25% of basic interest rate. A lot of my friends and relatives have lost their jobs, especially those who worked in financial structures or in building companies. So I hope all the G20 decisions will be held properly and help. Concerning books I’d recommend you JD Salinger or Richard Bach. Their language is smooth and simple, but their words are full of sense and philosophy. To make you English more “English” I’d advise Thomas Hardy :) Could you tell us in response what books are popular in Brazil?
Hi Marco! Let me give you a belated welcome or welcome back! Yes, I do read books in English. I have read several original English books since my lovely pen friend from the USA sent me his favourite one. It was two years ago. I have been reading Coelho books lately. Both, Veronika Decides to Die and The Zahir gave me great pleasure. I am reading now a true story of a litle girl's abusive childhood and her homelessness as an adult. The title of this book is Abandoned by Anya Peters. Take care,
Hi Marco. The finacial crisis has strange effects in different places. Here in my city I'm working like a dog in the company where I work part time but not so hard at the dental office as with all my colleagues. The company offers social service like dental care. To be honest, I don't have much time and I like reading only the news. The reading is concise for me. Good luck this month. Bye
Hi Marcos! Yes, I do. I occasionally buy some English books. and I often browse the on-line version of the English newspapers. They are very useful. By the way, I like Zadie Smith, Hanif Kureishi, Arundhati Roy and I read a novel of Coelho some time ago. As for the last author, I read it in Italian. Happy Easter!!!
Hi Marcos This is my first time that I write. I am studying English, and me teacher recommend me books for children like "Meet Me in Istanbul" by Richard Chisholm and "The Scarlet impernel" by Baroness Orczy. These books are for intermediate and upper level but it have much vocabulary that help you to improve your english. Bye.
Hi Marcos, it had been a long time I didn't check the bbc site and then when I finally came over, which I do sooner or later, I had a nice surprise to see you are back blogging. Welcome back. It's one more reason to be back to following the blog. About your latest entry, I'd like to ask you if you could give me a brief explanation about why interest taxes here in Brazil are so higher than in other countries as you mentioned. What does the government mean with that? Great to have you back!!! See you soon! Good day!!
Hi!! I´m learning english and I know few things. Nowadays I´d prefer to read articles then books, because of the time. But I will change this. I am writting slowly. I´m terrible writting in english. I change it too. Abraços, Marcos!
Hello Marcos! I like reading books in English. Some very good ones: One child by Torey Hayden - it is about an abused child and a fantastic teacher, this is a real story, Love is a thorn land - this is a real story too about a young couple, a horroristic war and a beautiful love and my favourite one is the Memoires of a geisha. I don't speak English very well, because unfortunately I have no possibility to speak, but reading is fantastic, it is a good way to understand the words.
Current Financial Meldown all over the whole world has become a thoughful matter.Specially, Banking & other financial instituions are taking various steps to over take the crisis. Present increasing trend of jobless people will seriously affect in human life. World will face a huge problem to manage the situation in good manner. However, a wise step may be taken by the developed country by cutting expenditure budget for running war all over the world against each-other. I think, top leader of the world must be re-consider the matter related to war and it's pheripharal cost. Now, we have to think the matter seriously for better living in the world all together. Thanks. Md. MozammalHoque Bank Officer Bangladesh
Financial crisis is a popular topic recently, I want to say something about G20. I know America proposed to carry out financial stimulation bill, but European countries strongly suggested to change the currency system. I donot know whether there is a result now, and I also hope the economy will recover soon.
Hi! Everybody I have just joined you to improve my writing skill. This is excelent apertunity to learn and get help from you elit people. I am basicaly programmer I have worked so for with technical words now I am struck for corresponding or drafting. just frank
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